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Mite Free?

My question : is it possible to live in a secluded enough area and not have to deal with mites? If so how far away would one need to be?Can bee's get mites from other bee's while foraging? I have looked some on the internet and not found the answers.Not that I'm very good at that. Sorry if this has been covered.

Re: Mite Free?

Absolutely. We're mite free so far. Of course, the hives are brand new and in the garage waiting for our first nucs. I've been assured that the nucs will come complete with mites.

We're isolated enough that we see only 1-2 honeybees a year, despite having a plethora of native bees, so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully we'll only have to deal with the original load. In principle, bees will go out 3 miles or even more, so to not meet other bees it would seem 6 miles in every direction would be needed. I'd bet terrain is a factor ... they probably would rather not cross mountains.

Drones are supposed to be the worst varroa carriers ... I don't know their range but they're sex-crazed loonies and can probably cover amazing distances if they get a wiff of the right pheromone. Its not like they need to come home after doing their one job. While waiting, they congregate with other drones and swap mites.

Re: Mite Free?

One common method that bees pick up 'new' mites is when they are robbing. Sooner or later, a colony of bees, feral or managed, within range of your bees will begin to fail. When that happens, every bee in the neighborhood will know and come for their free honey. And along with free honey comes free varroa.

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted. - Emerson

Re: Mite Free?

I saw on Youtube of a beekeeper in Alaska who is mite free. He is secluded, has mountains surrounding him, and he lives in the valley. The mountain range keeps his bees within his ecosystem. His honey is very clear, and sells for I think $12.00/lb.

Re: Mite Free?

Originally Posted by beemandan

One common method that bees pick up 'new' mites is when they are robbing. Sooner or later, a colony of bees, feral or managed, within range of your bees will begin to fail. When that happens, every bee in the neighborhood will know and come for their free honey. And along with free honey comes free varroa.

It seems like this might be a good reason to use a robber screen at all times. I understand that all hives apparently have at least some degree of robbing; it is only the week ones that let it get out of hand. Perhaps the mites a robber brings are a bigger problem than the honey they take out.

I have read a number of comments throughout the internet by people who said that their hives with robber screens tended to be stronger than those without. Perhaps there are all kinds of reasons for this that are not obvious, such as reduced mite infestations.

Re: Mite Free?

Originally Posted by TimStout

It seems like this might be a good reason to use a robber screen at all times.

That would address half of the equation, I suppose.....keeping out attempted robbers at your hives. The other half, your bees on robbing expeditions to feral and others' managed hives will still bring mites home. And robbing is only one of a number of ways that mites get transferred.
I think the only practical way someone can keep varroa free bees in North America is to move to a remote spot in Alaska (there may be some similar places in Canada) and bring in Australian bees. And even at that....it wouldn't be a sure thing.

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted. - Emerson